The Hilary Home

When doing any remodel the first step is to plan. The last thing you want to do is be halfway through a renovation and realize you've made a mistake, or something doesn't look right, or you've run out of money (see " Utilizing BIM to Optimize My Small Condo Kitchen Renovation " for more on this).   My dad always used to say "those who fail to plan, plan to fail"; I don't always live by those words, but in this case they couldn't be closer to the truth. Otherwise you could end up with a space that looks like this : Don't want this! 1. Are you trying to do a live-in renovation? The answer to this question will change your design plan of attack. What do you need to live in a home? A place to eat, cook, bathe, and wash. Make sure you're strategic if you only have one bathroom or you're gutting the kitchen. Plan accordingly. Take the wall tile off last if you're re-doing the only bathroom in your house and make sure you ...

Yay! I have been saving money for the past couple years and have finally bought my own place! It is a 1,000 sq ft 2/2 condo in a small city about 15 mins from downtown Orlando.  My perfect first place, safe neighborhood, gated community, canopied  oaks, attached garage, vaulted ceilings minus one glaring problem.... The 1980s interior. Picture this: vinyl off white cabinets complete with matching countertops, carpet in its own dingy colored mauve, fixtures stained with water droplets from years of use, appliances from Martha Stewarts heyday, metal windows which should contain a warning to buyer "CAUTION: May cause exceedingly high electric bills", the list goes on and on. Hold on you don't have to imagine, take a look: **please note these pictures were taken before I bought this gem in October, none of the items in these pictures belong to me** Did I mention the hotel inspired bathroom that opens up to the bedroom, with carpet? Oh yeah.....